Current interrupter rotary circuit breaker



Oct. 3, 1967 A' KUHLMAN ETAL 3,345,472

CURRENT INTERRUPTER ROTARY CIRCUIT BREAKER Filed April 5, 1965INVENTORfi #1551678. KUHLM/Y/V f G. 4

waver/9. GAWJKE BY Q2;

ATTORNEY United States Patent Minn.

Filed Apr. 5, 1965, Ser. No. 445,396 3 Claims. (Cl. 200-26) Thisinvention relates to an improvement in rotary circuit breaker and dealsparticularly with a rotary device designed to take the place of breakerpoints in conjunction with a distributor of an internal combustionengine. One of the most common causes of difficulty in the operation ofan internal combustion engine lies in the malfunction of theconventional breaker points used to make and break the distributorcircuit. These points normally reciprocate toward and away from oneanother a number of times equal to the revolutions per minute of thecrank shaft times the number of cylinders in the motor. The arcing of ahigh frequency current between the points as they make and break causesthe points to deteriorate, and the points must be changed from time totime if the engine is to continue to operate efliciently. It is anobject of the present invention to provide a rotary device used inconjunction with a brush of carbon or similar material to make and breakthe circuit at the proper intervals.

An object of the present invention resides in the provision of a rotarincluding on its periphery alternate segments of conductive andnonconductive material against which the end of the brush engages. Eachtime the brush engages an area of conductive material, a circuit isclosed. Each time the brush engages the adjoining segment of insulatingmaterial, the circuit is opened. By having the number of segments ofconductive material equal to the number of cylinders of the engine, thedevice may function in the same manner as the breaker points but withoutthe dilficulty normally experienced.

A feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a ring ofelectrically conductive material having a multi-sided socket thereinlarly spaced conductive ribs extending outwardly from the peripherythereof. This metal ring-shaped assembly is then provided with a plasticcovering which leaves the outer surfaces of the ribs flush with theouter surface of the plastic. As a result, the outer periphery of thering includes alternate conductive segments and non-conductive segmentsagainst which a brush may engage to provide contact intermittently.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the provision of asimple brush holder made of insulating material. This brush holder isinstalled in the place usually occupied by the breaker point assemblyand is pivoted on an axis parallel to the axis of the distributor shaft.A spring is interposedv between the surface of the brush holder and thedistributor housing for urging the brush holder toward the rotor. Aconductor is attached to the brush by the bolt used to connect thebrush'to thebrush holder.

A further feature. of the present invention resides in the provision ofa rotary circuit breaker which may be used to replace the breaker stripunit of conventional design. The distributor shaft is normally providedwith a multi-sided section having a number of sides equal to thenumber'of pistons of the engine. This multi-sided areanormally serves asa cam for reciprocating the breakand having a series of angu-.

or points into and out of engagement. The distributor rotor normallyfits on top of the shaft and includes a center contact and a sweep armwhich engages successive contacts which are equal in number to thenumber of cylinders so that the spark plugs may be energized or fired atthe proper intervals. The present rotor is designed to slip over themulti-side-d area of the distributor shaft, and the brushholder isdesigned to fit on the pivot post normally occupied by the breaker pointassembly. As a result, the present unit'may be substituted for aconventional breaker point unit without even the use of tools.

These and other objects and novel features of the present invention willbe more clearly and fully set forth in the following specification andclaims.

In the drawings forming a part of the specification:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of the lower portion of the distributorhousing with the distributor rotor removed from the shaft to betterdisclose the rotary circuit breaker.

FIGURE 2 is a vertical sectional view through the structure with therotor in place, the position of the section being indicated by thebroken line 22 of FIG- URE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the conductive body portion of thecircuit breaker before the plastic is applied thereto.

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the completed circuit breaker.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the brushholder wfith the brushremoved to disclose the construction there- 0 FIGURE 6 is a perspectiveview of the opposite side of the brushholder from that illustrated inFIGURE 5.

The current interrupter A is designed to take the place of the circuitbraker normally used in vehicles having internal combustion engines, asis normally housed in the distributor housing pin, the cap of which hasbeen removed to simplify the illustration. In accordance with the usualpractice, the distributor head includes a series of angularly spacedcontacts and a common central contact. A rotor 11, is supported upon theupper end of the distributor shaft 12, and the rotor 11, includes aradially extending arm 13, which successively engages the angularlyspaced contacts forming a part of the distributor cap. The electricallyconductive arm 13, is also connected to a spring arm 14, having acontact 15, Which is located at the axis of rotation of the rotor. Thecenter contact 15, is designed to engage the common center contact ofthe distributor cap to form an electrically conductive path from thecenter contact of the cap to the successive angularly spaced contactsthereupon.

The distributor shaft 12, is provided with a multi-sided portion 16,which normally acts as a cam for making and breaking the current intoupper points. The rotary part'of the present form of current interrupteris designed to fit upon this multi-sided shaft portion 16, to rotate inunison therewith. The rotary portion of the interruptor is indicated ingeneral by the numeral 17, and is best illustrated in FIGURES l, 2 and4, of the drawings.

As indicated in FIGURE 3, of the drawings, the rotor 17, includes aring-shaped body 19, of metal or other electrically conductive materialhaving a multi-sided socket 20, therein which is designed to accommodatethe multi-sided portion 16, of the distributor shaft 12. To the outersurface of the ring 19, we provide a series of angularly spaced bars 21,which are equal in number to the number of sides of the cam portion 16,or to the number of cylinders in the internal combustion engine. Theouter surfaces 22, of the bars 21, are on a cylindrical surface coaxialwith the axis of the ring 19. The bars 21 are shown as extending beyondone end of the ring 19, so as to increase the length of the exposedareas of p the bars. The bars 21, are either molded integrally with thering 19, or else are in some way fused thereupon.

. The metal portion which is illustrated in FIGURE 3 of the drawings, isusually placed in a plastic mold, and molded plastic is cast between theangularly spaced bars 21, as well as between the upper end of the sleeveas used in FIGURE 3, and the upper ends of the bars 21. The outerperipheral surface of the plastic is preferably flush with the outersurfaces 22 of the bars 21, as is indicated in FIGURES 1 and 4 of thedrawings. If preferred, the rotor 17, may be made slightly over size andthe outer surface of the rotor may be ground or cut so that the outersurface of the rotor is cylindrical, and so that alternate segments ofplastic are provided between adjacent pairs of the bars.

As is indicated in FIGURE 4, of the drawings, the upper portion of theplastic casting which extends inwardly of the upper ends of the bars 21,is provided with a central aperture 23, which is designed to accommodatethe tubular upper end 24, of the distributor shaft 12. This upper endportion 24, of the shaft 12, is keyed or otherwise secured to thedistributor rotor 11. The plastic non-conductive body portion 25, of therotor 17, is identified by the numeral 25'. The lower end of the plasticbody 25, is flush with the lower ends of the bars 21.

With this arrangement as described, a series of electrically conductive.arms 21, are provided which are in spaced relation and the surface ofthe rotor 17, is interrupted by alternate segments of insulatingmaterial. The outer surface of the rotor 17, is cylindrical as has beendescribed. Due to the fact that the sleeve 19, is supported by the metaldistributor shaft, the bars 21, are electrically grounded to the body ofthe engine.

The brushholder includes an arm 26, the construction of which is perhapsbest illustrated in FIGURES 5 and 6, of the drawings. The brush holder26, is an integral structure, preferably molded of plastic or otherinsulation material. The, arm 26, includes a pair of spaced parallelside plates 27, connected at one end by a tubular barrel 29. Anangularly connecting ribv 30, is provided between the plates 27, oneside of the connecting rib 30, defining a flat mounting surface 31. Theends of the plates 27, opposite that connected by the tubular bearing29, connected by an abutment forming member 32, which is, at rightangles to the surface 31, and which forms a bearing shoulder againstwhich an end of the brush is designed to engage.

As is indicated in FIGURE 1, and in dotted outline of FIGURE 6, of thedrawings, a generally rectangular brush 33, is secured against themounting surface 31 and the lower surface 34, of the abutment 32. Aninternally threaded aperture 35, extends into the body of the arm 26, atright angles to the mounting surface 31, and the brush 33 is held to thearm by means of a cap screw 36 which extends through an aperture in thebrush 33 and into. the threaded aperture 35. The bolt 36 preferably alsoextends to a terminal 37 mounted on the end of an insulated connector 39forming a part of the breaker circuit. One end of the brush 33 issupported in contact with the surface of the rotor 17 as indicated inFIGURE 1 of the, drawings when the circuit breaker is in place.

As also indicated in FIGURES 1 and 5 of the drawings a pivot aperture 39extends through the bearing portion 29 at one end of the arm 26 and theaperture 39 is designed to accommodate the pivot 40 extending upwardlyfrom the bottom portion 41 of the distributor housing 10. A flatgenerally U-shaped spring 42 is sharply bent as indicated at 43 at anintermediate point to provide an arm 44 designed to engage the brush arm26 and an arm 45 designed to engage the inner surface of the peripheralwall 46 of the distributor housing 10. The spring 42 tends to springapart at its free ends, one portion of the arm 44 being adapted toengage against the inclined portion 47 on the outer surface of the arm26. The spring 42 thus tends to rotate the arm 26 in a clock-wisedirection as viewed in FIGURE 1, thus urging the brush 33 against theouter peripheral surface of the rotor 17.

From the foregoing description, it is obvious that the presentconstruction may be substituted for the circuit breaker used mostconventional internal combustion engines, without reconstructing theseprevious devices. In order to substitute the present structure for theconventional circuit breaker, it is only necessary to open up thedistributor housing by removing the cap portion the distributor istemporarily removed, and the circuit breaker is removed by disconnectingthe conductor 39, and, removing the circuit breaker unit from the pivotshaft 40. This make and break system may be discarded.

The spring 42, is placed in position against the arm 26, and the arm 26is then inserted into the distributor housing, the arm 26, beingpivotally supported upon the pivot shaft 40. The terminal 37, of theconductor 39, and the brush 33, are secured to the end of the arm eitherbefore or after the arm 26, has been molded upon the pivot shaft 40.

The device is now in readiness for operation as soon as the distributorrotor has been mounted in its usual position, and the distributor caphas been mounted upon, and. attached to, the lower portion. of thedistributor hous- The bars 21, are properly located relative to themultisided portion of the distributor shaft 12, so that the, circuit isclosed in proper tabulation with the arm 13, of the distributor rotor11. In other words, during each contact of the distributor cap, arm 13,with one of the contacts of the housing cap, current will flow throughthe fixed contact 15, and the. arm 13, to the conductor leading to apredetermined sparkplug.

In accordance with the patent statutes, we have described the principlesof construction and operation of our current interrupter; and while wehave endeavored to setforth the best embodiment thereof, we desire tohave it understood that obvious changes may be made within the scope ofthe following claims Without departing from the spirit of our invention.

We claim:

1. A rotary distributor for use with a distributor housing having asubstantially cylindrical inner surface, and a coaxialshaft, comprising:

adisc of insulating material,

circumferentially spaced segments of conductive material embedded insaid disc, parallel to the axis thereof supported on said shaft andcoaxial therewith,

a brush holder including an angular arm having a pivot aperturetherethrough on an axis parallel to said disc axis,

a fixed pivot supporting said arm,

a flat surface on the other end, of said angular arm, the surface ofwhich is normally on a plane extending. substantially through the axisof said disc and radial thereto,

a brush secured in face contact with said surface and projecting fromsaid arm to engage the surface of said disc,

a pair of spaced parallel plates arranged on planes normal to said discaxis on the side of said angular arrn opposite the side from which saidbrush projects,

and a substantiallyU-shaped flat spring having one end freely engageablewith the. cylindrical housing surface and having its other end freelyengaged between said plates and held in position thereby, said springbeing free. of connection with. said brush holder.

2. The structure of claim 1 and including means forming an abutmentconnecting said plates and engageable with the end of said springengaged between said plates, the connected intermediate portions of saidspring being adapted to be engaged between the pivoted end of said armand said cylindrical surface.

3. The structure of claim 2 and including a clamping bolt connectingsaid brush against said flat surface, and a flexible conductor connectedto said brush by said bolt.

6 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,830,140 4/1958 Robertson20'024 3,022,389 2/1962 Wolrab 200-24 3,037,096 5/1962 Clevenger 200-19BERNARD A. GILHEANY, Primary Examiner G. MAIER, H. BROOME, AssistantExaminers.

1. A ROTARY DISTRIBUTOR FOR USE WITH A DISTRIBUTOR HOUSING HAVING ASUBSTANTIALLY CYLINDRICAL INNER SURFACE, AND A COAXIAL SHAFT,COMPRISING: A DISC OF INSULATING MATERIAL, CIRCUMFERENTIALLY SPACEDSEGMENTS OF CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL EMBEDDED IN SAID DISC PARALLEL TO THEAXIS THEREOF SUPPORTED ON SAID SHAFT AND COAXIAL THEREWITH, A BRUSHHOLDER INCLUDING AN ANGULAR ARM HAVING A PIVOT APERTURE THERETHROUGH ONAN AXIS PARALLEL TO SAID DISC AXIS, A FIXED PIVOT SUPPORTING SAID ARM, AFLAT SURFACE ON THE OTHER END OF SAID ANGULAR ARM, THE SURFACE OF WHICHIS NORMALLY ON A PLANE EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY THROUGH THE AXIS OF SAIDDISC AND RADIAL THERETO, A BRUSH SECURED IN FACE CONTACT WITH SAIDSURFACE AND PROJECTING FROM SAID ARM TO ENGAGE THE SURFACE OF SAID DISC,A PAIR OF SPACED PARALLEL PLATES ARRANGED ON PLANES NORMAL TO SAID DISCAXIS ON THE SIDE OF SAID ANGULAR ARM OPPOSITE THE SIDE FROM WHICH SAIDBRUSH PROJECTS, AND A SUBSTANTIALLY U-SHAPED FLAT SPRING HAVING ONE ENDFREELY ENGAGEABLE WITH THE CYLINDRICAL HOUSING SURFACE AND HAVING ITSOTHER END FREELY ENGAGED BETWEEN SAID PLATES AND HELD IN POSITIONTHEREBY, SAID SPRING BEING FREE OF CONNECTION WITH SAID BRUSH HOLDER.